Missing Christmas | Week 1 | December 1st

by | Dec 1, 2024 | Digging Deeper


Series: Missing Christmas
Sermon Title: The Reality of What Christmas Means Can Seem Too Good to be True
Passage: Luke 1:5-20; Luke 1:67-79  NIV

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Series: Missing Christmas
Sermon Title: The Reality of What Christmas Means Can Seem Too Good to be True
Passage: Luke 1:5-20; Luke 1:67-79  NIV

 The reality of what Christmas means can seem too good to be true

    1. Because We Struggle to See Past Life’s Pain and Disappointment 
      Luke 1:5-20
    2. Because God’s Timing Is So Different Than Ours…
      Luke 1:20
      Isaiah 7:14
      Isaiah 9:2
      Isaiah 9:6-7
      Galatians 4:4 
    3. Because It Really Is the Best News Ever.
      1. God Is Close 
        Luke 1:68
      2. We Can Be Set Free—Redeemed
        Ephesians 1:7
      3. Forgiveness is Total and Complete
        Luke 1:76-77
      4. Salvation and Life Are Ours for the Asking
        Luke 1:76-79

 

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

  • What disappointments or pains in your life make it hard for you to see the reality of God’s goodness?
  • Zechariah’s story begins in silence and struggle, yet God was working behind the scenes. How might you invite God into those tender places where hope feels distant or impossible?
  • How do you respond to the idea that God’s timing is so different from ours?
  • The 400 years of silence before Christ’s birth is a staggering testament to patience and trust. Where in your life do you feel like you’re waiting on God, and how might you embrace His timing with renewed faith?
  • When you hear the phrase “the best news ever,” what does it stir in your heart?
  • Does the message of salvation, forgiveness, and life still feel too good to be true for you? 
  • How can you open your heart to fully believe that God’s promises are for you, here and now?
  • Zechariah’s story reminds us that God is close, even when He seems distant. How have you experienced God drawing near to you, even in unexpected ways?
  •  If you’re struggling to sense His closeness now, what might help you reconnect with His presence?
  • What does being “set free” mean?
  • Whether it’s freedom from fear, guilt, or something else, how does the Christmas story of Christ’s arrival speak to your need for freedom? 
  • What steps might you take this week to live more fully in that freedom?
  • How can the reality of God’s unshakable promises change the way you approach this season?
  • Luke 1:67-79 declares God’s faithfulness and His desire to redeem us. How might this understanding shape your outlook, your relationships, or even your celebrations during this Christmas season?

 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

 

  • Facing life’s pain and disappointment: Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced deep pain and waiting. How do their story and Luke 1:67-79 encourage us to trust God when we struggle to see past our own pain and disappointment?
  • God’s perfect timing: What stands out to you about how God fulfilled His promises after 400 years of silence? How does this remind us of His faithfulness in our waiting seasons?
  • Too good to be true: Why do you think the message of Christmas—the coming of Jesus as Savior—can sometimes feel “too good to be true”? How does this challenge our faith?
  • The best news ever: How does Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke 1:67-79 capture the greatness of God’s plan for redemption? How can this inspire hope in our lives today?
  • How has God shown His closeness to you in moments of pain or disappointment?
  • Think back on a time when life felt heavy. What small or large ways did you sense God drawing near, even if it was unexpected?
  • Overcoming doubt and disbelief: Zechariah struggled to believe God’s promise at first. What doubts or fears might hold us back from fully trusting God’s plans?
  • What would it look like to live as if God’s promises are unshakably true?
  • How might your actions, thoughts, or relationships change if you fully believed that God will never forget you or His promises for your life?

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

 

RESOURCES:

 

MONTHLY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY: CELEBRATION

The spiritual discipline of celebration is a practice deeply rooted in scripture, inviting believers to joyfully recognize and honor God’s goodness, faithfulness, and provision in every area of life. It is a call to cultivate a heart of gratitude and a lifestyle that reflects the joy of the Lord as our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

What is Celebration?

At its core, celebration is an intentional act of worship and thanksgiving that shifts our focus from the struggles of life to the abundance of God’s grace and love. It is not merely a fleeting feeling of happiness but a deep-seated joy anchored in the reality of who God is and what He has done. Psalm 100:4 reminds us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” emphasizing celebration as a pathway to deeper communion with God.

A Celebration Practice for the Week

Gather with a small group, family, or friends to intentionally celebrate God’s goodness in your lives. This activity can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, focusing on shared joy and worship.

Steps:

  • Prepare the Space: Set up a welcoming environment with music, candles, or scripture verses that emphasize thanksgiving and joy (e.g., Psalm 136:1, Philippians 4:4).
  • Share Gratitude: Each participant takes a turn sharing specific ways they’ve seen God’s faithfulness, provision, or answered prayers in their lives.
  • Worship Through Song: Sing worship songs or hymns that celebrate God’s character and deeds. Include songs like “How Great Is Our God” or “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
  • Prayer of Thanksgiving: End the gathering with a communal prayer, thanking God for His goodness and committing to trust Him for the future.

Purpose: This activity builds a communal spirit of joy and helps participants focus on God’s work in their lives.

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Timing and disappointment are not areas we naturally handle well. In today’s culture of instant gratification, we are accustomed to conveniences like high-speed Wi-Fi, immediate text replies, air fryers, and even real-time tracking of our children. These tools bring ease, but they can also foster an expectation for immediacy in all areas of life.

However, God’s work often doesn’t align with our desire for instant results. Instead, the Bible is filled with encouragement to wait on the Lord. Here are a few key scriptures:

  • Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
  • Lamentations 3:25-26 (CSB): “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”
  • Psalm 130:5: “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

These verses remind us that the Lord is faithful, good, and perfect in His timing. Part of our spiritual growth involves learning to discipline our wants and desires, submitting them to God’s plans and timing.

As we navigate life’s uncertainties, we are invited to build the “muscle” of patience and trust. When circumstances feel overwhelming or difficult, see them as an invitation to turn toward God. Trust that He is working, even when we can’t see the full picture.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus understands our struggles: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses.” This compassionate God invites you to draw near, placing your trust in Him to work through your challenges for your ultimate good.

Waiting isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Lean into God’s presence, and allow the waiting to draw you closer to His heart.

Rob Hans | Spiritual Formation and Connections Pastor